"I never thought.." [i]Indeed, I hadn't considered it.[/i] [i]As Samuel would traverse up those steps, I could recognize him.. somewhat. If anything, it was the weaponry that would give him away to me. The high frequency blade.. I knew only one person that used one. I was surprised. I figured more idiots would be shoving them up their аsses, but Sam was the only to do so - amongst the array of wannabe fighters and idiots.[/i] [i]Course, I was among the idiots.[/i] --------------------------------- [i]Sam would find himself peering upon what could have been.. a beaten, bloodied, and certainly burnt Pandora. The tattered clothing that she had worn in her disguise into the rebel encampment was destroyed beyond recognition. It was no longer tan, but an ashy grey, blackened with soot and wear. Wide holes where bullets had slammed into her during the midst of combat remained, the flesh underneath slowly healing. The entirety of the left side of her body was burnt viciously, scorched flesh left where there was once light cloth and transformed, pale skin.[/i] [i]Pandora seemed.. okay, even a little matured, though. She only waved a little at Samuel, that pale face looking up at the returning man, her fellow. Or, rather, whom she considered superior. Her eyes weren't a rosy shade of crimson, or cyan blue, but instead just a curious green, as green as the scales of a serpent sneaking upon it's weaker prey.[/i] [i]She sat upon a grey boulder, one of the many upon the mountain that was home to the Dojo. Beside her, would lay.. books. Piles of stacked, newly bought books, each of seemingly different purposes. Nihilistic books, likely the result of Lucien's advisement and approval. A few books about the meaning of life, something that a friend may have found for Pandora, though the woman seemed to be keeping it for someone else. And.. combative exercises, and strategic fighting in melee, one of the novels in her hands.[/i] "...it's still standing, I suppose. I am, after the Palace.. you are, too. And the Dojo's standing. Guess you're pissеd about one or two of those."